ADVERTISEMENT

War Room: June 24

Matt Jessen-Howard

Well-Known Member
Aug 5, 2014
15,249
20,715
113
GI, I'm excited to give you my first war room! If you have any questions, let me know, and I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability.

Quarterback
QB recruiting is going to be interesting this class. The staff recruited Tony Poljan as a QB, and that's certainly where he'll start out, but as Josh Helmholdt told me, Poljan does have potential elsewhere. More significantly though, the team is just short on quarterback depth and with only three QBs on scholarship this year, it makes some sense to bring in a second QB.
  • If the staff brings in a second QB, and that's a big if, I believe it will be Keon Howard. The staff hasn't talked to any former targets recently and that includes UCF commit Sawyer Smith, Buffalo commit Max Bortenschlager, and Illinois QB Steven Frank. Howard, on the other hand, continues to hear from Minnesota regularly. You might remember that from now on Zebrowki will be more hands-on with QB recruiting and this is the case with Howard. He started off hearing more from Sawvel, but Howard said that he hears almost exclusively now from Coach Z. Howard told me today that he's hearing the most from Minnesota, Mississippi State, Louisville, and Memphis, and his Rivals profile lists offers from all. I know for a fact his Louisville offer isn't committable and I highly doubt the Mississippi State offer is either. Keon told me that he talks with the Gophers "everyday now" and that they recently had another meeting and are close to offering him. He told me that he's waiting on a Minnesota offer and wants to commit before the school year starts, so I think Howard will be a Gopher if the staff decides they want him. Again, that's a big if. You can read my article on Howard from three weeks ago here, and I'll have another one soon.
Running Back
The staff doesn't need and isn't necessarily planning to bring in a running back this class, so there's been very little contact. Guys who have heard from Minnesota in the past, like D'Vaughn Pennamon, Martell Pettaway, Chawntez Moss, Nate Hopkins, and Arkeem Byrd all said that they haven't heard from Minnesota in a long time.
  • Rakeem Boyd of Texas told me that he's hearing from Minnesota, but said that he's not doing any more interviews with media. Other Rivals writers told me that they don't think Minnesota will be a major player in Boyd's recruitment, though.
  • Tre Bryant of St. Louis told me that a Gopher coach talked to his coach "a little bit ago," but that he hasn't heard from the staff personally in a while.
That's it, just those two names. Maybe the staff will revisit running back recruiting later on if there's space, but right now there's just not a need for a running back in this class.

Wide Receivers
Watching the 2016 class of wide receivers unfold will be really interesting. Currently Phillip Howard is the only commit, and although I'm not sure if the staff necessarily planned on bringing in more than a couple receivers in this class, they might just because of the talent that is interested.
  • Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman of Breck was offered on Saturday, and he has very high interest in the Gophers. Chiaokhiao-Bowman doesn't plan to make a decision soon, as he wants to see what opens up after picking up his Minnesota offer. He's big on academics, so Northwestern and Stanford could be threats. He camped at both within the last two weeks, but neither has offered yet, and if there's still no offer in a week or so, I think Gopher fans can be quite confident with RCB. You can read my post-offer article on him here.
  • Bailey Edwards is obviously a name to be aware of because he's the younger brother of Berkley and named Minnesota his favorite. Bailey will get on campus sometime in the next three or four months, whether that's an unofficial visit or official visit, but nothing is set up. He plans to make a fall decision. You can read recent articles on Bailey here and here.
  • Minnesota has stayed involved with DeAndre Huff from Georgia, although I think they're slow-playing him a little bit. Huff's coach told me that Minnesota is one of the five schools recruiting him the hardest, with Rutgers being the only other power five school on that list. Huff was told to take his time with the recruiting process, and he wouldn't have come up for an unofficial anyway according to his coach. I think the Gophers are situated nicely here considering that he's not on the top of their board.
  • Texas receiver Adewale Omotosho was offered three weeks ago, which was the first time he heard from the staff (read about it here). Since then, he's been busy at camps and has picked up several other offers, so it could take some time to see how his recruitment develops. Omotosho holds a couple offers from bigger programs, so the staff will have their work cut out for them. There's time to build a relationship with him though, because he won't commit until after his senior season.
  • Some schools are looking at Eden Prairie's JD Spielman as a corner, but I think he'd definitely be a slot receiver for Minnesota. I haven't confirmed it with him yet, but I imagine Spielman will be at the BBQ next month. According to TheWolverine.com, he'll also visit Baylor, UCLA, Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, and Wisconsin, and he just got back from his Michigan visit, which he loved. He'll make a fall commitment and will narrow his list after taking more visits. Minnesota is very much in the thick of Spielman's recruitment, but I do kind of have a gut feeling that his sights are set elsewhere. We'll see.
  • Texas slot receiver Davion Curtis told me he's heard a little bit from Minnesota recently, but I don't think it's been much.
  • Marshall's Drew Hmielewski is very close to an offer, and could pick one up if he performs well at one of the camps in July. I was told that he ran in the high 4.5s when he worked out with Chiakhiao-Bowman in front of the staff. He definitely has the physical tools, so I'm anxious to see what sort of hands and skills he displays at camp in July.
  • You can forget about these uncommitted recruits with offers: Donnie Corley, Kofi Boateng, Aaron Mathews, and Jacob Robertson.
Minnesota might only have one spot left at receiver (although I don't think they'll turn away can't miss talent), and Chiakhiao-Bowman, Edwards, and Huff all high on Minnesota. Throw in Spielman, the local, and Omotosho, who's a high-end talent, and this could get pretty hectic. And then there's the possibility that Tyler Johnson could end up as a receiver or that Hmielewski picks up an offer. Luckily for them, Chiakhiao-Bowman, Edwards, Huff, Johnson, and Omotosho all don't plan to commit for a while. Bottom line is that there's a lot of talent here with a lot of genuine interest.

Tight End
With Plsek graduating, but Anyanwu, Wozniak, Lingden, and Gibson returning, I think there will be two tight ends in this class.
  • You can forget about Luke Farrell and Jacob Mathis, who both hold offers, but have moved on.
  • The staff has been on Albert Okwuegbunam for a long time, and he's a big priority. Okwuegbunam went to the same high school as Quinn Oseland, and their staff has many connections to the Minnesota staff. Albert has kind of toured the Midwest and picked up offers everywhere he's been. Missouri, Iowa, Iowa State, and Indiana all want Okwuegbunam bad and have been after him a while. Michigan State just offered as well, so he's going to be tough to pull. Albert will narrow down his list soon, and I expect Minnesota to make the cut. The Gophers are a contender, but I wouldn't chance his commitment any higher than 50/50. You can read my article with him here.
  • Corey Rau of Texas could play either H-Back or as Y, and he's a major target. Rau would be great at Minnesota, and the Gophers are on him hard. He's well aware of Maxx Williams' success as a Gopher, and a lot of things just seem to line up. The one big obstacle here is location; he would really like to stay close to home. He plans to make a late July decision, and even if he doesn't commit to Minnesota then, I have a feeling he'll find his way to campus for an official visit in the fall. Read more about Rau here.
  • Kyle Fourtenbary from Alabama is another take. He just committed to South Alabama today, but his recruitment is not completely shut down. Fourtenbary texted me that he'll "try" to get up to the BBQ, and if he doesn't, I think he'll make it up for an official visit. Minnesota is his only power five offer, and he talked about his offer with me here.
I have a feeling that they get two of these three, probably Fourtenbary and one of Okwuegbunam and Rau. If they don't or if the staff decides they want more than three tight ends, there are a couple more targets worth watching:
  • Amorama Noel has heard from Sawvel a little bit recently but not a ton, but Noel told me that he's very interested in Noel, and he's a name to remember moving forward.
  • Iowa athlete Ko Kieft camped at the most recent Senior One Day Camp as a tight end and outside linebacker, and he received the most attention from the staff. I'm sure Poore will be monitoring his progress this fall. I recapped Kieft's camp experience here.
  • Burnsville athlete Kamal Martin, who committed to Eastern Michigan today, is another prospect who could pick up a late offer at tight end, although he'd have to put on a lot of weight.
  • Robert Tucker from Atlanta and Conner Edmonds from Wisconsin are other names to watch. Edmonds went to Junior Day and has talked on and off with Coach Z.
  • Fullback targets are East Ridge's Connor Mohs and Darius Whitehurst from Virginia. The staff talked with Whitehurst at Sound Mound Sound Body. I don't think either will pick up an offer, but I'd for sure place Mohs on preferred walk-on offer watch.
Offensive Line
The staff has four lineman they love in Sean Foster, Sam Schlueter, Matt Kegel, and Conner Olson. A fifth lineman will only be taken if it's a JUCO or early enrollee senior, and there aren't many early enrollee seniors left.
  • You can forget about every lineman with an offer other than Southwest Mississippi CC tackle Vincent Calhoun. In my recent article with Calhoun, he said the visit was a 10/10, but that he'll take his four other visits. Right now, I definitely think that Calhoun will be a Gopher, but if he drags the process on (which I'm not sure he actually will), then he's bound to pick up some more power five offers.
Defensive Line
This defensive line class will be big -- probably five or six in all, including one or two JUCOs.
  • Blinn CC defensive end Tralund Webber named Minnesota his leader earlier this month, and took an official visit this past weekend, which you can read about here. He says that he'll still take two more official visits before committing, and originally he told me that he wouldn't be committing until the winter, but I'm not sure I believe either statement. The staff can pressure Webber by bringing other JUCO DEs like Tramal Ivy or Joe Henderson on an official visit. Webber loves Minnesota, and I think he'll be a Gopher.
  • Butler County CC defensive end Tramal Ivy holds just two offers, Minnesota and Iowa State. The Gophers were the first to offer, and they're sitting well if they want to take him. There's also a lot of familiarity with Hutchinson CC DE Joe Henderson because he's a guy they recruited out of high school.
  • Terrance Corbett from Alabama named Minnesota his leader and will visit in July, although he said he won't be making a summer commitment. Minnesota is his only power five offer, and you can read about his interest in the Gophers here.
  • Zo Bridges, who goes to the same high school as Kyle Fourtenbary, hadn't heard much from Minnesota before his offer. He's received more attention since the offer, and I think Minnesota is going to have a decent chance to land him. Bridges is committing in August and recently told me that he's going to try hard to see Minnesota before then. Bridges recapped his offer with me here.
  • Minnesota offered Iowa commit Cedrick Lattimore last week, and he's going to give Minnesota a chance to flip him. With the offer happening so recently, it's impossible to tell whether that will happen or not, but Lattimore's definitely one to keep an eye on. He can also play defensive tackle. Lattimore recapped his offer with me here.
  • The staff offered Josh Uche after he had already committed to Miami, and I think he's going to be tough to flip. Uche is pretty solid to the Canes, and he grew up just five miles from their campus. He told me that he's open to visiting Minnesota, but until that happens, I think we can drop his name from the board. I talked with Uche about his Minnesota offer here.
  • When I talked to Terrell Lucas from Florida, he was very high on Michigan, and didn't say much about Minnesota. They trail Michigan and Syracuse for sure, and I'm not sure who else.
  • Isaiahh Loudermilk from Kansas grew up a Kansas fan, but also really likes Kansas State after taking a couple visits, as well as Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. He also recently visited Missouri. So the Minnesota staff has their work cut out for them. Loudermilk won't be committing for a while, so if the staff decides they want to go hard after him, I think they have time to make things. For now, I wouldn't expect much though.
Defensive ends who haven't been offered who I'd keep an eye on are...
  • Peyton Moore, a good-sized weakside DE from Georgia who's talked with Sherels a little bit and received a visit in school during the season. Peyton said visiting campus has even been brought up, but because of the cost, he's not going to visit without an offer in hand.
  • The staff was impressed with Romeo McKnight from Illinois at Sound Mind Sound Body. McKnight has great size but right now his only offer is from Iowa, where I think he'll be committing in several days. McKnight said that he's supposed to hear one or the other about an offer pretty soon.
  • Two other defensive ends with good height that the staff has talked to recently are KaDerrion Mason from Mississippi and Derriyon Shaw from Las Vegas.
Despite having a need for defensive ends but not having any commits, Minnesota is doing pretty well so far at defensive end. They're sitting well with several top targets, and are competitive with with their second tier guys.

Moving on to defensive tackle...
JoJo Garcia is already committed, but I'd expect there to be at least one more addition.
  • You can forget about these uncommitted DTs who were offered: Jovan Swann, Kyree Campbell, and Antwuan Jackson.
  • The lone JUCO on the board is Walvenski Aime, who just decommitted from Miami, but has said positive things about Minnesota. The Gophers were Aime's #3, behind Kentucky, before he committed to Miami. He's certainly a prospect to monitor closely.
  • Keep an eye on Jabari Ellis from South Carolina. He doesn't have an offer, but the staff reached out to him earlier this week.
  • Maybe they keep talking to Ja'quize Cross despite his Kentucky commitment.
  • Keep in mind that Thomas Barber could also end up moving to the defensive line.
Linebackers
Between Carter Coughlin and Thomas Barber, this could be a special linebacker class. I'd expect one to two more linebackers, and the staff have zeroed in on their targets.
  • You can forget about these uncommitted linebackers with Minnesota offers: Tre Lamar, Elysee Mbem-Bosse, Dontavious Jackson, Brendan Ferns, and Jeremiah Moon
  • Florida OLB Andre Polk told me a couple days ago that Minnesota and USF were the two schools recruiting him the hardest. I confirmed with a source this morning that the staff wants Polk badly and that he's a definite take (link). He also holds offers from Iowa State and Louisville. To be completely honest, I'm having a hard time remembering what all Polk told me about visits, a decision, etc., but I just remember him being excited to talk about Minnesota. The Gophers sit well, and I'll have an article and more details on Polk when I transcribe that interview.
  • Florida OLB Brock Miller picked up an offer from Minnesota last week, and I think he'll take a serious look at the Gophers, despite holding what I believe are committable offers from Mississippi State, Kentucky, and more. He had done his research on Minnesota before the offer and likes the program. You can read my article on Brock here.
Polk and Miller are the only real targets who hold offers right now. Other linebackers to know are...
  • Louisiana OLB Korey Louis holds offers from Louisiana-Lafayette and Utah State, but has a number of power fives talking to him, and he said he thought that Minnesota was the closest to offering him. Sawvel is his contact.
  • The staff also has a couple OLB targets in line who are already being recruited by power five schools. Kevin Moore from Louisiana is an outside linebacker that's heard from Minnesota recently and holds offers from Arizona State, Cal, Kansas State, Louisville, and Texas Tech. Utah OLB Keenan Pili heard from Minnesota a few weeks ago, and told me he's picked up a couple lower-level power five offers out west.
Defensive Backs
I think four is the magic number for defensive backs in this class, but that number could certainly increase or decrease depending on who they're able to get. Elijah and Elisha Daniels are currently the only two "commits," but they might as well be listed as targets who are high on Minnesota. Their commitment came out of the blue, their quotes didn't make them seem 100% committed, and they've never set foot on campus. Nevertheless, if they make up to campus for the BBQ, I imagine their commitments would become much more firm. Here are the other defensive back targets...
  • Tyler Johnson is the big priority at cornerback. He'll be deciding any day now what sport he wants to play in college, and I'm assuming it's football. As has been repeated over and over, Minnesota sits well here and I don't see that changing. Tyler takes pride in his community, and I just think that Minnesota is a natural fit. I see Johnson as a press cover corner on the boundary. Johnson has said that he wants to take official visits, so I don't think he'll be committing for a while. In the meantime, Gopher fans should hope he doesn't pick up any big offers. He was at Notre Dame yesterday and also had plans to visit Michigan State. Josh Helmholdt (link) and I (link) both wrote articles recently on Johnson.
  • Minnesota is also making a major push at Pitt commit Tony Butler. Sawvel is in frequent contact with him, and Butler said he wants to take an official visit in the fall. I talked with Butler tonight and will have a full recap with him soon. Michigan, Arizona State, Rutgers, and Maryland are also working to flip him, and he's taking an unofficial to Michigan next month. Butler is listed as a safety, but everyone's recruiting him as a corner.
  • Coney Durr, former teammate of Alonzo Craighton, likes Minnesota a lot and has developed a good relationship with Sawvel. Durr is high on Kansas State and Louisiana Tech too, though, so we'll see what happens. He told me several weeks ago that he wants to take officials to Minnesota and Kansas State. Durr said that a decision isn't even on his mind, so the Gophers have plenty of has time. You can read more about him here.
  • Florida corner Simeon Smiley was offered about a month ago, and he's remained in contacted with Sawvel. Smiley told me that he doesn't think he'll be up for an unofficial this summer, but that he wants to come up for an official. Smiley also knows Damarius Travis, so that's a plus. Smiley is currently committed to South Alabama, but he's very vocal about wanting to heard elsewhere. You can read my article on Smiley from several weeks ago here.
  • Minnesota will try to flip Kentucky commit Tobias Gilliam, who was offered two weeks ago, but I think Gilliam's pretty set on UK for now (article here).
  • Minnesota was too late to offer Canadian Patrice Rene. He's set on making a decision soon, and said he's made all the visits he needs to make.
  • One corner who has heard from the staff recently but doesn't hold an offer is Dontre Boyd from Michigan. Boyd comes from the same conference as Dior Johnson and Ray Buford, and currently holds all MAC offers.
  • The other corner without an offer that you should keep an eye on is Antoine Winfield Jr. from Texas, who I talked with a couple days ago. Winfield is just starting to get to know Sherels, and their relationship will certainly be something to monitor moving forward. He's hoping to make it up for the July 18 BBQ and camp.
At safety, I think things are a little bit less straight forward, but they're still in on some top targets.
  • You can forget about Nigel Warrior, and Collin Wilder just narrowed his list to three and didn't include Minnesota.
  • Brandon Drayton from Florida recently listed Minnesota in his top ten, and he's a guy that I believe Claeys say in-person this spring.
  • Desmon Smith just committed to Texas State, but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up taking an official visit to Minnesota in the fall. Same goes for Edward Hayes, although I'm not sure he's a top target. Hayes told me he didn't talk to Minnesota much between the time he received the offer and his commitment to Louisiana-Lafayette.
  • Isaiah Simmons from Kansas has been in touch with the staff, but hasn't heard from Simmons as much as a handful of other Big Ten schools, so the staff would have a lot of catching up to do. He said he doesn't know much about Minnesota, but is open to hearing from them more.
  • There are several safeties without a Gopher offer to keep an eye on. The first is Marshall's Drew Hmielewski, although I think his workout with the staff last week may have been exclusively at receiver. Still, I'm expecting him to get a chance to earn an offer at safety.
  • Next is Navon Mosley from Michigan, who was hearing from Reeves up until he committed to Purdue.
  • Ohio athlete Keevon Harris could play safety, outside linebacker, or maybe even receiver at the next level. The staff was impressed with him at the Raw Talent U Camp a couple weeks ago. Harris' only offer right now is from Iowa.
  • Another unoffered athlete who has heard from Minnesota somewhat recently is Rhashaun Epting from Chicago. Epting played quarterback for his high school team, and could end up as either a safety or outside linebacker.

That took a lot longer than I was expecting. Now for questions. I'll only answer the ones that I didn't cover above, in order to keep this as short as possible.

LB questions: Where are we at with Miller? Is Polk in the mix? Are they our top choices at OLB, or is there someone they like ahead of them? Do they take 1 in addition to Carter?

Yes, I think that those are the top two targets at outside linebacker. I think the staff will take two more linebackers, and given all the outside linebackers they're talking to, at least one will be an OLB.

--what currently committed recruits is the staff trying hardest to flip? Are they trying to flip any recruits currently committed to helmet schools?

--With 5 frosh RBs this year, is there a chance the staff doesn't sign an RB in the 2016 class?

--Has the staff decided for sure that Thomas Barber will play DT?

--Jalen Myrick had some big plays on D/ST last season. What specific roles do you see him filling in the secondary this year? Is he a lock to start at KR? Any chance we'll see him return punts?

Who are they currently trying the hardest to flip? Probably Pitt corner commit Tony Butler. I think they'll bring on Edward Hayes or Desmon Smith on an official in the fall if they're not set at defensive back by then, but for now I wouldn't be surprised if contact between Hayes/Smith and Minnesota dies down.

There is a very strong chance the staff doesn't sign a running back in 2016.

I don't think a position will be determined for Barber until he's done growing and we can see how his body filled out.

Not sure about Myrick and returners. Usually, a handful of guys get reps at returner in the fall and it's sorted out then. But Myrick is definitely in the mix.

Do you see Carter Coughlin influencing any elite recruits to come to Minnesota?

Influencing, yes. Being the tipping point, no. Maybe with Antoine Winfield Jr., but he doesn't even have an offer yet.

What do you think the break down is for carries next year ?

In other words, list the 4 RB's that you think will get the most carries and what percentage will they get?

RB A = 60%
RB B = 20%
...
...

Good question. I think everything will move around a little bit in the fall, but I'd expect something along the lines of...

Nugget = 50%
Smith = 35%
Jones and Berkeley together = 15% but I think a lot of their playing time could be in the slot

Local guys with a chance to get an offer, either at camps or during their senior seasons. Thanks.

For 2016s, Marshall's Drew Hmielewski is the most likely to add an offer. STMA's Isaiah Weston could an offer if he improves his catching and ball skills, but they're in on so many receivers that I don't see an offer coming. Burnsville's Kamal Martin could also add one late, but I don't see that happening. I guess other names to know are Sean Engel from Chaska, Kayode Awosika from Maple Grove, Tommy Doyle from Edina, Foster Conzet and Nick Kramer from Wayzata, Jamahl Johnson from Prior Lake, and Moses Nyangacha from Robbinsdale Cooper, but again, I don't see an offer coming for any of them.

For 2017s, keep an eye on Nico Bolden and Jermaine Johnson, who I have both talked about in camp reports. Bolden is 6'3.5" and 195 pounds, but has a frame that will allow him to put on more weight. He's ran in the 4.5s at Minnesota and Iowa State, so he definitely has the speed to play power five ball. He plays free safety for Woodbury, but could be an outside linebacker at the next level. Johnson is a defensive end for Eden Prairie who looks like a receiver.

Eric Rousemiller from Lakeville South and Gavin Blomberg from Providence Academy are considered the top offensive line recruits, and both should receive plenty of Gopher interest.

What's your prediction for who will be our next commit?

Hmm, that's tough because some of the most obvious guys said they don't plan to commit for a while. I'll say Chiaokhiao-Bowman because if he doesn't have some more power fives biting soon, I think he'll commit to Minnesota, even though he said he's planning to take his time.

Who will replace Cobb at linebacker?

James Johannesson, duh. ;)

Are the coaches going into this fall with a set plan for Jeff Jones, or are we experimenting/seeing how it plays out?

I think he'll see some time at running back, but will play mostly in the slot. As far as a long term plan, I don't know and I don't think the staff or Jeff necessarily knows either.

---

That's it. Let me know what you think of the format.
 
Last edited:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Go Big.
Get Premium.

Join Rivals to access this premium section.

  • Say your piece in exclusive fan communities.
  • Unlock Premium news from the largest network of experts.
  • Dominate with stats, athlete data, Rivals250 rankings, and more.
Log in or subscribe today Go Back